Gentiana plant named &#39;RI0405128&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Gentiana scabra×triflora  variety named ‘RI0405128’ is described. The variety results from selection among a population of seedlings derived from controlled crossing of the  Gentiana  varieties known as ‘SR3004’ (not patented) and ‘13- 414’(not patented). The new variety is distinguished from others by its purple flower color and compact plant form.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/997,855, filed on Jun. 11, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

GENUS AND SPECIES

Gentiana scabra×triflora

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Seedlings obtained from the deliberate crossing of the Gentiana scabra×triflora selections ‘SR3004’ (female parent) (not patented) and ‘13-414’ (male parent) (not patented), in 2005, were planted out at Palmerston North, New Zealand, where the cross was also conducted. In 2008, ‘RI0405128’ was asexually propagated and underwent simultaneous evaluation at Palmerston North and in Hachimantai City, Japan. In 2010, ‘RI0405128’ was selected for its purple flower color and branching habit in both trial planting locations, New Zealand and Japan. Plants have been asexually propagated by both cuttings and tissue culture and subsequently found to be true to type demonstrating that the characteristics of the new variety ‘R10405128’, are stable and transmitted without change through succeeding generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar ‘RI0405128’ was selected for its unique combination of characteristics including the deep purple flower color, flowers borne on strong, upright stems, and a plant habit that is compact and uniform. The multiple branching habit and short stature of the plant indicate conformation suitable for culture as a potted plant.

‘RI0405128’ is distinguished from a number of other varieties by the following characteristics:

‘RI0405128’ has purple flowers whereas the flowers of the Gentiana hybrid ‘True Blue’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,433) are blue.

‘RI0405128’ has purple flowers whereas the flowers of Gentiana scabra are blue, pink, or white.

‘RI0405128’ has purple flowers whereas the purple color does not appear in the flowers of Gentiana makinoi.

‘RI0405128’ has short stems and purple flowers whereas its parent, ‘SR3004’ has long stems and red flowers.

‘RI0405128’ has short stems and purple flowers whereas its parent, ‘SR3004’ has long stems and pink flowers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

FIG. 1: ‘RI0405128’ plant showing branching habit and short stature suitable for culture as a potted plant.

FIG. 2: flowers of ‘RI0405128’ in studio.

FIG. 3: longitudinal section of ‘RI0405128’ flower.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following is a description of the new variety with color terminology in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Charts (R.H.S.C.C.) Fourth edition (2001). The plants were grown at Palmerston North, New Zealand. The observations were made during 2015 in New Zealand on 13-month old plants planted in 15 cm diameter pots grown outdoors in a well sheltered area with 80 mm pot spacing.

-   Plant: the plant is herbaceous perennial with a semi-erect growth     habit and medium vigour. Its average height was 15 cm and spread 42     cm. -   Stem: the main flowering stem length was on average 100 mm with an     average thickness of 1.3 mm. The stem shape in cross section at the     mid point was circular. Color of the stem observed when the plant     was actively growing was near purple group N77A. Side shoots were     present. The average length of internodes in the central third of     the stem was 9.8 mm and the average number of internodes on the side     shoots was 3. The position of the longest leaf was in the central     third of the stem. -   Leaves: the leaf arrangement was opposite and decussate. The average     leaf length was 24 mm and the average width at the widest point     12 mm. Leaf shape was ovate and in cross section the leaf folded     upwards. In longitudinal section the leaf shape was concave. The     leaf tip shape was acute with the leaf margin entire. There was no     leaf twisting present. The average number of leaf conspicuous veins     was 3. The color of the upper surface of the leaf was near green     143A and the under-side was near green 143D. Pubescence on the under     and upper surface of the leaf was absent. -   Flower: flowers were terminal and auxiliary in position and found in     alternate open clusters along the stem and did not have a fragrance.     The average number of flowers per cluster was 4.6 flowers. The mean     date of 50% open flowers at Palmerston North, New Zealand, was 12     February. Under low light intensity the degree of flowers closing     was strong. The flower was campanulate in shape, with the ovary     superior, five petals fused to form corolla with lobes at top.     Stamens were attached near base of the corolla tube. The average     pedicel length was 19 mm and the average peduncle length was 122 mm.     The average length of the flower was 44 mm and style length average     was 4.2 mm. -   Corolla: the corolla average length was 52 mm, average aperture     diameter was 13.6 mm and the average diameter of the corolla tube at     the widest point was 14 mm. The surface of the corolla was smooth     and the color of the corolla stripe, mid petal was near purple group     N77A and the lobe was near purple-violet N81 A. The lobes were ovate     in shape with the lobe average length 13 mm and width 11 mm. There     were approximately 5 lobes per corolla. A paracorolla was present. -   Calyx: the shape of the calyx tube was funnel-shaped, and calyx lobe     was narrow lanceolate. The average length of the calyx tube was 17     mm with an average tube diameter of 7 mm and the average calyx     diameter from tip of lobe to tip of opposite lobe was 31 mm. The     color was near green group 143C with near purple N79A shadowing. -   Anther: the anther was fully developed, and cylindrical in shape. -   Ease of propagation: propagates readily from tissue culture or stem     cuttings. 

1. A new and distinct Gentiana plant named ‘RI0405128’, substantially as illustrated and described herein. 